chew the fat

English

Etymology

Probably just from comparison of the jaw movements in chewing to the jaw movements in talking.

Verb

chew the fat (third-person singular simple present chews the fat, present participle chewing the fat, simple past and past participle chewed the fat)

1. (idiomatic) To chat idly or generally waste time talking.

   We're not supposed to waste time chewing the fat with the customers.

Synonyms

• shoot the breeze
• chew the rag

References

• "Chew the fat" in Michael Quinion, Ballyhoo, Buckaroo, and Spuds, 2004.